This group of photographs all came out of the same album and depict members of the 1st Battalion, 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot and were taken while the battalion was deployed to India between the years 1872-78. The fact that the group includes a lieutenant, colour-sergeant, sergeant, and privates may indicate that this collection represent members of the same company. The sergeant, lance corporal and standing private all wear the 1977-81 style tunic with the trefoil knot above the cuff while the two seated privates both wear the single looped 1872 pattern tunic. It is interesting to note that the men wearing the latter pattern tunics do not have the regimental collar badges present while the men the earlier pattern tunics do. The regimental number "8" is clearly visible in three of the photos.

The regimental numeral "8" isclearly visible on this sergeant's shoulder strap and belt buckle. He is also a qualified marksman, this being represented on his uniform by the crossed rifles on his left cuff.

Cart de VisiteThomas A. Rust - PhotographerIndiac 1877-78

Colour-Sergeant, 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot.

I would like to thank Mr. John Young and Mr. Graham Stewart for their contributions in identifying this soldier's rank insignia

Cart de VisiteThomas A. Rust - PhotographerIndiac 1877-78

Private, 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot

This private wears two Long Service & Good Conduct Stripes on his right cuff signifying at least five years exemplary service. On his left he wears a crossed rifles badge. A similar badge of plain crossed rifles normally denotes the wearer being a qualified marksman but this man's badge differs mainly in that the rifles have slings present. Perhaps this is simply a variation of the same marksman's badge.

Cart de VisiteThomas A. Rust - PhotographerIndiac 1877-78

Private, 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot

This private, wearing the 1872 pattern tunic is also a qualified marksman with at least five years exemplary service under his belt at the time the photograph was taken.

Cart de VisiteUnkown PhotographerIndiac 1872-77

Private, 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot

This private also had five years exemplary service on his record when he sat for this photograph. He and the private at left both wear the regimental badges on their collar. With what appear to be white gloves tucked into their tunics in the same manner and with almost identical poses and backgrounds it is possible that these two men sat for their photographs during the same photographic session.